Mar 11, 2025

Allan Gardens Conservatory Toronto

Ready for some green?

""Allan Gardens Conservatory", strangely advertised as a major Toronto landmark, remains a well-kept secret. Have a picnic in 100s of flowers and old trees!"

Strangely advertised on its own website as a major Toronto landmark, Allan Gardens Conservatory continues to be a very well kept secret especially among many of its citizens. Truth be told, city parks are generally not as often advertised or as used in North America as they are in Europe, unless they are huge like New York's Central or Toronto's own High Park.

Opened in 1858, Allan Gardens is one of oldest parks in Ontario and one of the best mid-exploration lunches on-the-go you can have in Toronto. Bring your own or drop by the massive Loblaws grocery store and liquor store at Church and Carlton and pick some delicious snacks -enough to make it a picnic! Then walk west one block at Jarvis and Carlton, as you enter the park you will see the large glass and metal Palm House canopy and its extended wings. Covering over 16,000 square feet you will find hundreds of colorful flowers and trees from their year-round collection plus many rare tropical plants from all over the globe.

Once inside feel to free to meander, bring your camera for some great macro-photography and take a break while you relax on a bench or walking through cacti, tropical flowers, succulents and palm trees.

Definitely a place worth dropping by as you make your way to your next stop. Specially if you are looking for a moment of respite and like to be surrounded by green. Literally.

Fun fact: Oscar Wilde held a lecture here on May 27, 1882

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

About this spot

19 Horticultural Ave

C$

free

4163921111

Find your way with 145 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Toronto guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Toronto

Planta Queen

Amazing Asian-inspired vegan eats

I recommend ordering a few of their smaller dishes to try, which should definitely include their renowned Bang Bang Broccoli!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Apr 17, 2025

Khau Gully

Best Northern Indian Food in Toronto

"Khau Gully" is my favorite Northern Indian restaurant in Toronto. Street food is its thing but it's best to sit in for its beautifully painted dining room

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Cameron

Bryant

Apr 15, 2025

RE Place / Poured Coffee

Low-waste for the win

From biodegradable bamboo products to personal care items that are better for both you and the planet, you can find plenty here for a more sustainable life.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Apr 13, 2025

Good Intentions

Shop to support women

It’s rare that I leave this store without having bought something, be it a beautiful ring for myself, or a unique piece of artwork to give as a gift.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Apr 13, 2025

Gia Restaurant

Plant-forward perfection

With environmental sustainability in mind, Gia is a “plant-forward” restaurant, with the goal of sourcing produce locally, and organic when possible.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Apr 13, 2025

Scout

Gift giving made easy

Besides selling goods from small, often local, independent makers and mindfully selected brands, they also help to support local charities and initiatives.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Apr 13, 2025

Philistine

Curated clothing & goods

Founded over 15 years ago as a purveyor of vintage goods at local markets and pop-ups, Philistine now has two shops of its own, both on Queen Street.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Apr 13, 2025

Aloette

Toronto’s best restaurant's cooler sister

"Aloette" in Toronto is an upscale bistro with a wider range of food. Their burger is definitely a staple, and their iceberg wedge salad is a sleeper hit!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Anita

Kim

Apr 11, 2025

Gift Shop

A not-so-secret secret speakeasy

"Gift Shop" is a secret, magical, speakeasy-type cocktail bar at the back of a barber shop in Toronto. It's actually quite well known though, so get read

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Anita

Kim

Apr 11, 2025

Swatow

My go-to for hole-in-the-wall Chinese food

"Swatow" Toronto's been my go-to for that kind of Chinese food for years -- you know, the comforting, inexpensive stuff that's still plentiful & delicious.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Anita

Kim

Apr 11, 2025

La Salumeria

The perfect midtown deli

"La Salumeria" is always where I go when I need something delicious on-the-go during the day. It's a delicatessen that also makes the best sandwiches!

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Anita

Kim

Apr 11, 2025

The One in the Only

Coffee coffee coffee

"The One in the Only" in Toronto is an eclectic coffee shop that just exudes positivity. Most of the decoration is a random mix of old photos & art prints.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

by

Jeffrey

Wood

Apr 11, 2025

Heading to Toronto?

145 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

145 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves Toronto

Get to know our other Spotters from Toronto

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
7300
Filters